Triple Nexus: Business Administration, Development Studies, and Social Innovation

This research identifies the Triple Nexus as the intersection of Business Administration, Development Studies, and Social Innovation, using a mixed-methods approach. Key findings indicate that social innovation (β = 0.563, p < 0.001) and cross-sector collaboration (β = 0.331, p < 0.001) are the primary drivers of aligning organizations with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), together accounting for 98.3% of the observed variance. Developmental impact also contributes positively (β = 0.308, p < 0.001), while integrating business strategy can conflict with SDG alignment (β = − 0.146, p = 0.002). Leadership culture, although not a direct predictor, enables collaboration and innovation. The study highlights five main themes: business strategy fusion, developmental impact, social innovation, cross-sector collaboration, and leadership culture. The study recommends prioritizing social innovation and collaboration, striking a balance between efficiency and sustainability, integrating SDG targets into strategic planning, and supporting adaptive leadership to foster sustainable development.